06/27/2011 // WPB, FL, USA // Personal Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley
Sparks, NV — Six people are dead and at least five people remain unaccounted for after a semi-truck plowed into an Amtrak train in the Nevada desert. The train accident occurred on U.S. 95 about 4 miles south of Interstate 80 on Friday, June 24, 2011, 70 miles east of Reno, reported the Reno Gazette-Journal.
According to officials, two rail cars were gutted by a fire that erupted following the deadly train accident. The semi-truck slammed into the side of the westbound California Zephyr train at a highway crossing.
The semi-truck, which was leading a three-truck convoy, slid about 320 feet before plowing into the crossing gates and into the side of the train. It is unknown why the driver failed to stop before the crossing. The railroad crossing gates were down and the lights were operational.
Investigators say it’s been difficult to examine the truck tractor because it was embedded in a rail car.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says there is unaccounted passengers because some passengers may have got off the train prior to the wreck or walked away from the scene without getting permission from officials. Two hundred people and 14 crew members were on the train at the time of the accident.
The toxicology report for the driver of the semi-truck is pending. Police are considering “not necessarily just drugs or alcohol, but fatigue, driver inattention” as factors in the deadly accident.
The driver was employed by John Davis Trucking Co. in Battle Mountain, Nev.
Investigations are underway.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Nevada train accident lawyers.
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